Robert J. Dennis

Robert J. Dennis (a.k.a. Bob Dennis) is an American businessman. He serves as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Genesco.

Early life

Robert J. Dennis graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he received a bachelor's degree, followed by a master's degree. He received a masters in business administration from the Harvard Business School.

Career

Dennis worked for McKinsey & Company from 1984 to 1997. He worked for the Asbury Automotive Group from 1997 to 1999.

Dennis became the Chief Executive Officer of Hat World, Inc. in 2001. When it was acquired by Genesco in June 2004, he became Genesco's Senior Vice President. He was appointed as its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2005. He has served as its Chief Executive Officer and President since 2008, and as Chairman since 2010.

Dennis served on the Board of Directors of Teavana Holdings from July 2011 to December 2012, when it was acquired by Starbucks. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Corrections Corporation of America since February 2013 and the Hospital Corporation of America since February 2014.

Philanthropy

Dennis serves on the Boards of Trustees of the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville and the Nashville Symphony. He also serves on the Board of Visitors of the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.